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So whats the new current trend in salt mixes for reef tanks theses days. When I gt out of reef keeping the hot salts where Tropic Marin Bio Actif, RedSea CP and DD H2Ocean. Of coarse Tropic Marin Pro Reef and IO Reef Crystals where popular.

First the salt itself seems to be finer grained which helps with it dissolving faster. It dissolves much better, less left in the tub and its always consistent.

I used reef crystals only for about 15 years after 10 years of IO and after about 600 G of mixing fritz/live aq ill never go back.

No, I am saying who's (and how) making that determination? Referencing "mixing" only highlights that there is scant data other than perception/observation.

Anyway, this is not a new topic; there have always been the "flavor of the month" brands, but it seems like they always have QC issues (and simply expensive) which keeps me away. RC mixes fine for me, some residue in the drums, but clear in less than 24 hours, is economic, and consistent. All other non "premium" mixes I have tried were disappointing, and I like mixing lots of water, so high priced "premium" salts are just... meh

Though I will try LA, the price is where I like it and I have more faith in them as a company.

Edit: I then read mixed reviews of LA/Fritz and their QC, with people reporting residue, and the 205g boxes coming with one giant bag? Not individual 50g bags? Once again, thinking why bother with something not broken...

There is always some residue from high calcium mixes, and there is less for me in this then RC.

The one bag has not been an issue, since make 100G batches.

Yeah, but something as simple as the 50g bags (I use two 30g poly drums) matters to me and my personal routine.

Residue is residue (as you note, all "reef salts" generally have it), the high dKH of RC has never been an issue for me, and I like to think of the higher CA/MG and other elements as just more bang for the buck (what you are paying for with a "reef salt" anyway).

Regardless, I think the best attribute a salt can have is being cheap (with good QC); and more cheap brands is a good thing. More water changes will always beat out the "perfect" salt mix IMO.

I had some major issue with RC mixing up brown, leaving a brown film in bucket and habing way high alk and mg too I like, 3 buckets in a row had the same issue. Im biggest thing is consistancy batch to batch and lower cost. TMPR would be my salt of choice but the cost I just cant justify anymore. DD was good as well but was on the limit of what I want to pay. Any specs on the mentioned salt mixes at 35ppt?
Just to list so e of the slats i have used over the years.
IO, RC, TM, TMPR, RSCP, DD H2Ocean, HW Marine, HW Reef, Seachem, Seachem Reef, Coralife, Oceanic, Oceanic/IO mix, Kent Marine.
Ones I really liked but can not long get or are to much $$$.
HW Marine, HW Reef, TM, TMPR, DD. HW was by far my favorite salt mix, price was same as IO, numbers are great, consistant and corals did well using it. TMRO was my next but $100 killed it for me.